This cruise is a wonderful opportunity to experience the exotic culture, ancient sites and unforgettable landscapes of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Begin with a 2-night stay in Vietnamese capital Hanoi before a cruise on a luxurious ship amongst the limestone islets and floating fishing villages of World Heritage Site Halong Bay. A two night stay in Ho Ci Minh City (Saigon) includes visits to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.

Your 7-night cruise on the Mekong River begins with a a small boat visit to the floating markets of Cai Be. During a tour of Cambodia capital Phnom Penh see the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, enjoy a stroll through the a traditional village, and visit the former royal capital of Cambodia, Oudong.

Spend two nights in Siem Reap, where you will visit the remarkable temple of Angkor Wat, the world's largest single religious monument, and choose from included options before flying back to the UK.

A435 Operated by APT Luxury Cruises

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Vietnam and Cambodian Discovery Itinerary

Day 1 - UK - Hanoi (Vietnam)

Fly from the UK to Hanoi.

Day 2 - Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening. (D)

Day 3 - Hanoi

A guided tour of the city showcases the iconic sights. Later, choose from a selection of Freedom of Choice activities including a tour of the 500-year-old Bat Trang village, a water puppet show and a bike ride past Hanoi's rice paddies, before choosing where you wish to dine this evening from a range of superb restaurants. (B,D)

Day 4 - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, travel by coach to Ha Long Bay and embark your traditional junk boat for your three-day cruise on this World-Heritage listed bay. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise through the stunning scenery. Tour the Sung Sot Cave (Jul 19 to Apr 20 departures) or the Trinh Nu Cave (May 20 to Apr 21 departures) (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Ha Long Bay

Jul 19 to Apr 2020 departures: After breakfast, cruise past the floating villages of Cua Van and Vung Vieng and visit Cong Dam fishing village by bamboo boat or kayak to see how the residents live. After a traditional lunch on board, arrive at Cat Ba island to visit the national park and Viet Hai Village where you can explore the island by bike. May 2020 to Apr 2021 departures: Cruise towards Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Take a guided bike tour of Viet Hai Village nestled in the Cat Ba National Park, and visit an ancient Vietnamese house. In the afternoon drift along the waters by kayak before retiring to The Au Co for the evening. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Ha Long Bay - Ho Chi Minh City

Jul 19 to Apr 2020 departures: This morning, you'll cruise along the beautiful Surprise Grotto and Titov Island then after breakfast transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, transfer to the Park Hyatt Saigon for a two-night stay. May 2020 to Apr 2021 departures: Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for the included flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival transfer to the Park Hyatt Saigon. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Ho Chi Minh City

Take the opportunity to visit Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan and attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross. Alternatively, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a special Luke Nguyen-inspired degustation dinner at Vietnam House. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho

Today there are a choice of excursions: a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City, jumping on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city tour, tour the Ky Long Art Villa and see artists workshops or visit a cooking studio. Later, transfer to My Tho port to embark your ship. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Cai Be - Sa Dec

Board a local boat to the town of Cai Be and step ashore for a visit to the magnificent French Gothic cathedral and the delightful port area with its colonial buildings. Continue to a local rice paper manufacturer before enjoying lunch back on board. Cruise to Sa Dec where Marguerite Duras met her lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Enjoy a tour of his old house. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Tan Chau

Jul 19 to Apr 2020 departures: Board a small boat and explore the tiny tributaries around Tan Chau, passing a floating fish farm, before stepping ashore for a traditional rickshaw tour. Later, experience rural Mekong life on a visit to an evergreen island. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure on board as the ship crosses the border into Cambodia. May 2020 to Apr 2021 departures: Take a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau before visiting Evergreen Island to experience rural Mekong life. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Phnom Penh

Choose between a visit of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (Jul 19 to Apr 20 departures), a visit the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, enjoy a tuk tuk tour taking in the city's main sights or head to the National Museum. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Phnom Penh - Koh Chen

Journey to Oudong and have a Buddhist blessing experience with local mons. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a stroll through the village of Koh Chen and visit the copperware workshops. Alternatively there is the option to take an ox cart ride in Kampong Tralach (Jul 19 to Apr 20 departures). Later cruise the Mekong to Oknha Tey, renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Angkor Ban

Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. Continuing cruising towards Siem Reap this afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure on board. Perhaps go for a dip in the pool, or kick back on the Sun Deck with a good book and drink in hand. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Kampong Chhnang

If you are feeling active this morning, perhaps set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You’ll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before exploring the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Kampong Chhnang - Siem Reap

Disembark the ship in Kampong Chhang and transfer to the Hotel Sofitel Angkor for your three night stay. Later, visit the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaelogical Park to see Angkor Thom and the 12th-century Bayon temple. This evening, you can choose from a selection of restaurants for dinner. (B,D)

Day 16 - Siem Reap

Rise early to enjoy a special experience at Angkor Wat. Watch the sun rise with a drink in hand and a guided tour of Angkor Wat, before returning to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, head to the temple of Ta Prohm and the Opportunities of Development thru Art, set up to support disadvantaged children. (B)

Day 17 - Siem Reap

Choose from a selection of sightseeing activities including a visit to the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath for a Buddhist blessing or a tuk tuk tour. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore independently. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance and Farewell Dinner. (B,D)

Day 18 - Siem Reap

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)

Day 19 - UK

Arrive back in the UK.

The sequence and duration of visits may vary due to tides, river conditions, and national holidays. Itinerary is subject to change. Cruise itinerary operates in forward and reverse however Hanoi will always be a pre-cruise extension. Key: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner